In the traditional world of monitoring and evaluation, thick reports and static data often fail to communicate the human-centered impact of a project. This training course is designed to empower M&E and communications professionals to transform their evaluation findings into compelling digital stories. By blending data and personal narratives with visual media, participants will learn how to create engaging and accessible content that brings a project's successes and challenges to life, fostering a deeper connection with stakeholders and inspiring action.

This comprehensive program provides a practical, hands-on roadmap for designing and producing high-quality digital stories for evaluation purposes. Participants will gain skills in identifying powerful narratives, mastering the use of simple and accessible tools for audio and video, and creating a strategic plan for disseminating their stories to a wide audience. The course is a strategic investment for organizations seeking to enhance the transparency and emotional resonance of their evaluations, ensuring their work is not only effective but also memorable and deeply human.

Duration: 10 days

Target Audience:

• M&E Specialists
• Communications Officers
• Program and Project Managers
• Researchers
• Storytellers
• Humanitarian Aid Workers
• Grant Managers
• Consultants
• Social Justice Advocates
• Fundraising Professionals

Objectives:

• Understand the core principles of digital storytelling and its value in evaluations.
• Master the process of designing a digital storytelling project.
• Learn how to identify and collect powerful stories of change.
• Develop practical skills in using simple and accessible tools for media production.
• Ensure ethical considerations and safety protocols in collecting sensitive narratives.
• Overcome the technical and organizational challenges of implementation.
• Enhance the long-term impact and credibility of evaluations.
• Communicate key findings to a wide range of stakeholders in a compelling way.
• Build a culture of narrative-based, participatory evaluation.
• Apply digital storytelling to a wide range of sectors and contexts.

Course Modules:

Module 1: Introduction to Digital Storytelling

• The limitations of traditional reporting
• Defining digital storytelling and its purpose in evaluation
• The business case for narrative-based reporting
• Key components of a digital story (narrative, emotion, visual)
• An overview of the digital storytelling workflow

Module 2: Foundational Concepts of Story

• Understanding what makes a story powerful
• The role of a program's theory of change as a narrative arc
• Identifying key characters and themes
• The importance of emotion and authenticity
• The difference between a report and a story

Module 3: Project Design and Planning

• The importance of a clear and focused project plan
• Identifying a target audience and their needs
• The role of a "story map"
• Developing a clear and concise project brief
• Strategies for securing stakeholder buy-in

Module 4: Story Identification and Collection

• How to identify potential storytellers in the field
• The art and science of a good interview
• The importance of open-ended and probing questions
• The role of observation and "being present"
• Best practices for documenting and transcribing stories

Module 5: Ethical and Safety Considerations

• The importance of a "do no harm" approach
• Ensuring the safety and privacy of participants
• The role of informed consent and data confidentiality
• The importance of a community-led ethical review process
• Protocols for handling sensitive and potentially harmful data

Module 6: Audio Production for Storytelling

• An introduction to basic audio recording equipment
• The importance of clean audio and a quiet environment
• Techniques for recording interviews and soundscapes
• The use of a simple audio editing software
• Practical labs on recording and editing audio

Module 7: Video Production for Storytelling

• An introduction to basic video recording equipment (smartphones, cameras)
• The importance of lighting and composition
• Techniques for framing an interview and B-roll
• The role of a simple video editing software
• Practical labs on recording and editing video

Module 8: Photography for Storytelling

• An introduction to the principles of visual storytelling
• The importance of a clear and compelling subject
• Techniques for capturing emotion and context
• The role of a simple photo editing software
• Practical labs on capturing and editing photos

Module 9: The Editing Process

• The art and science of bringing it all together
• How to select the best footage and audio
• The importance of a clear and concise narrative
• The role of a script or storyboard
• Practical labs on a full digital story edit

Module 10: Integrating Digital Stories into M&E

• How to use stories to complement quantitative data
• The importance of a "story bank"
• The role of a digital story in a formal evaluation report
• Using stories to inform program decisions and design
• Case studies on effective integration

Module 11: Dissemination and Advocacy

• The importance of a clear dissemination plan
• The role of a digital story on social media
• Using a story for fundraising and advocacy
• The importance of a "call to action"
• Best practices for sharing your story with different audiences

Module 12: CBM and Digital Storytelling

• The potential of community-based storytelling
• Training community members as storytellers
• The importance of a participatory approach
• The role of a "storytelling hub"
• The long-term benefits of a community-led system

Module 13: The Role of the Evaluator

• Shifting from a technician to a facilitator
• The skills required for a narrative-based evaluator
• Managing power dynamics and group conflicts
• The importance of a non-judgmental and empathetic approach
• The ethical responsibilities of the evaluator

Module 14: Practical Application and Simulation

• A hands-on simulation of a real-world project
• Participants work in teams to design and produce a digital story
• Troubleshooting common challenges in real-time
• Analyzing and interpreting a set of feedback
• Peer review and feedback sessions on the final story

Module 15: The Future of M&E Storytelling

• The role of AI and machine learning in automated transcription
• The potential of virtual and augmented reality in storytelling
• The use of new digital platforms
• The rise of complexity-aware M&E
• The long-term implications for the sector

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.